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Successful Projects |
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Since 1995, DHI has been developing and improving
specialized downhole separation technology for the oil and
gas industry. DHI's patented Down Hole Gas and Water Separation
(DGWS) technology and patent pending Down Hole Three Phase
Separation (DTPS) technology can economically increase recoverable
oil and gas reserves. These technologies are now in the second
generation of Reverse Flow Technology (RFI). With help and
funding from the Gas Research Institute, DHI was able to prove
its technology to be a viable, commercial product which allows
hydrocarbons to be physically separated from water in the
same well bore while simultaneously injecting disposal water
into a suitable geologic zone.
DHI has successfully tested the DGWS technology in over 30
gas wells, which resulted in the reduction or elimination
of environmental and economic problems associated with water
produced to the surface. Water, co-produced with gas, adversely
affects the economics of gas production if the water is brought
to the surface for disposal. The economic burden is sufficient
in many areas so as to discourage or limit the commercial
development of hydrocarbons. DHI's DGWS technology encourages
operators to reevaluate projects that were considered marginal
or uneconomical as it transforms them into viable economic
plays.
Since completing its contract with GRI, DHI has positioned
itself to engage with producers as a provider of DGWS technology
and to participate as a working interest partner in the Atlas
Joint Venture in Canada beginning November 2003. This venture
represents the official commercialization of DHI's technology
and will position DHI as a significant player in downhole
separation technology within the oil and gas industry. The
Atlas Joint Venture validates DGWS technology and provides
a benchmark around which future deals will be modeled. These
successes will help exploit other strategic partnerships in
North and South America.
DHI has recently completed positive laboratory tests of its
DTPS technology and is discussing with several companies the
opportunity of providing a test well. The DTPS system will
allow for gas, oil/condensate and water to be separated downhole.
The water is injected into a disposal zone located below the
production zone while the oil and gas is produced to the surface
with a small amount of controlled water. This system hinges
on 90% of DHI's DGWS technology. DHI anticipates having a
qualified well available for testing by the spring of 2004.
Testing will continue through most of year with the expectation
of having the technology available for delivery in late 2004.
The market potential for the DTPS tool is significant and
has been estimated to be some 10 times larger than that of
DGWS.
In early September of 2003, DHI designed a Plunger that prevents
gas-lock problems in wells up to 9500 feet. The escalated
cost of managing gas locking in problematic wells is becoming
a priority for most operators. In most producing wells where
the gas to water ratio is high the cost and concerns of gas
locking could make a formerly profitable well uneconomical.
The bottom line is many good wells are shut in or production
is lost due to gas locking.
Conventional plunger pump concepts rely on the plunger to
develop high pressure below the plunger in the pump barrel
during the down stroke. This high pressure is required to
open the traveling valve to allow the liquid and gas to flow
through the inside of the plunger for lifting to the surface
on the upstroke. Failure of the traveling valve to open on
the down stroke in high gas to water ratio wells causes a
gas locked condition resulting in no pump displacement. The
DHI Plunger imparts a positive opening traveling valve to
prevent gas locking and reduce pump flumping, thus reducing
the gas-locking problem.
The idea behind the design of the DHI Plunger was to develop
a product that was reliable and would complement the DGWS
technology in gas wells where gas locking is known to exist.
The anti gas lock plungers currently available are mostly
unreliable and designed for use in gas wells not to exceed
4000 feet in depth. DHI recently delivered the first two Plungers
to a company in Oklahoma for testing. The product will be
available in early 2004 and ready for integration into DGWS
technology. DHI will also make the product available through
distribution because interest in the Plunger has grown steadily
since it was first introduced it in June of 2003. |
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